Albacore fishing out of La Push is opportunistic. WDFW’s albacore species page says independent boats fish tuna here "occasionally," when weather and water allow, and that most albacore charters work out of Westport and Ilwaco. Weather and water govern everything that follows. This page covers what local operators say about timing, where boats run, the named grounds off La Push, local methods and who fishes here. For the fish itself, start with the species guide. For coast-wide timing, see the regional picture (see also the Pacific Northwest fishing guide). The aim is to help you decide where and when to look; it does not promise fish.
When albacore are off La Push
The three local operators publish three different windows.
| Source | Stated window | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Top Notch Ocean Charters | Mid August to mid October | Listed as the best window |
| All-Ways Fishing | Late August to September | Day trips only |
| KYS Outdoor Adventures | Late June to August | FishingBooker listing |
All three windows include late August. We have not merged them or picked one, since each reflects a single operator’s experience.
Where boats run from La Push
Boats go when weather and water allow, and that condition decides most trips. All-Ways runs day trips only, leaving early and returning late afternoon. That is one operator’s practice, not a rule for every boat.
Judge the run on the official marine forecast: wind speed, wave height and wave period. Read the numbers against your own boat and experience. Bar crossing and port details are on the La Push port page linked above.
Satellite layers such as OBS SST and Chlorophyll show whether warm, clean water is within reach before you commit to the run.
Grounds and structure near the river mouth
These are the named grounds off the Quillayute River mouth. They serve as reference points and bottomfish structure on the way out, and none of them is documented albacore water. Leeroy’s La Push notes put The Rock Pile about 7 1/2 miles NW of the river mouth.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Position or note |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock Pile | 130 | About 7 1/2 miles NW of the river mouth per Leeroy |
| Umatilla Reef | ||
| Carroll Island | ||
| Awash Rock | 72 | Waypoint 47-58-90 / 124-43-72 as published; bottomfish |
| Sea Lion Rock | 66 | Waypoint 47-59-58 / 124-43-65 as published; bottomfish |
| Quileute Needles | 60 | |
| Q buoy | ||
| SW-2 | 540 |
Chart layers and published waypoints are not for navigation.
How albacore are fished out of La Push
Local methods range from trolling to casting to live bait.
Trolling
All-Ways trolls tuna clones or feathers at up to 7 knots.
Casting near the boat
After hookups, All-Ways casts swim baits to fish near the boat. Spreads and technique are covered in detail in our tuna guides.
Live bait
Top Notch lists live bait albacore.
Who fishes albacore here
Three operators list albacore out of La Push:
- Top Notch Ocean Charters: Jim Richeson at the wheel. Stated window is mid August to mid October. Lists live bait albacore.
- All-Ways Fishing: Randy Lato. Stated window is late August to September. Day trips only. Trolls clones or feathers at up to 7 knots, then casts swim baits.
- KYS Outdoor Adventures listing: Captain Lamont Nelson. A 31-foot Uniflite offshore sportfisher, six anglers max. Stated window is late June to August. Booked through its FishingBooker listing.
A charter is one way to see the port before running your own boat.
FAQ: albacore tuna fishing out of La Push
When is the best time for albacore out of La Push?
The operators disagree. Top Notch says mid August to mid October, All-Ways says late August to September, and KYS says late June to August. All three include late August.
How far do boats run?
All-Ways runs day trips only, leaving early and returning late afternoon. WDFW says independent boats go "occasionally," when weather and water allow.
Is The Rock Pile tuna water?
It is a 130 ft structure about 7 1/2 miles NW of the river mouth per Leeroy. Treat it as a reference point and structure; it is not documented albacore water.
What troll speed is used locally?
All-Ways trolls tuna clones or feathers at up to 7 knots, then casts swim baits to fish near the boat.
Which charters list albacore out of La Push?
Three operators list albacore tuna fishing out of La Push: Top Notch Ocean Charters (Jim Richeson), All-Ways Fishing (Randy Lato) and KYS Outdoor Adventures (Captain Lamont Nelson).
